Classroom Set Up Continued

The classroom is getting there little by little.  I have a few more photos to share.  I adopted some shelving from my mom to help get that behind my desk area looking a little better.  It's still not as eye appealing as I'd like especially after seeing the organization some of the other bloggers have going on.....do you gals live at school?  I am in awe of your colors and themes.  I just don't have the time right now, but as the year goes on WATCH OUT!

So it looks better with the shelves.  I have a material USA map hanging to the left to hide the shelves underneath which house my monthly read alouds that I don't want little hands touching.  Next to that is a farm themed drape to cover my math boxes.  The adopted shelves allowed me to put photo frames on the counter in front which is nice.  It's a work in progress.

These are my leveled books for Buddy Reading during centers.  I do literacy centers based on Debbie Dillar and Fountas and Pinell guidelines.  (More on that another time.)  The sentence strip reminds my kiddies how to start their sentence in their reading journals after they read to their buddy.  The empty space below will house the basket of journals.  The directions for the center are posted on the red and white mini poster.  I also take pictures of the kids in the center doing the jobs and hang them in the center.  This visual is another good reminder for them of what is expected in the center. (Besides the fact that they love seeing themselves in photos.)

Our BB  for Writer's Workshop.  We brainstorm ideas that good writers write about and write them on a chart.   I cut apart the chart and hang all the ideas on the BB so the kids can look for an idea whenever they have a writing block.

I give up... I can't figure out how to rotate this picture so turn your head and take a look at my adaptation of pencils glue and tying shoes BB idea.  You can see her original idea here.  This will be my writing center with picture dictionaries and mini thematic word walls in the crates.  The white drawers hold the materials and assignments.

Well that's it for now. We have to prepare for a hurricane here on the east coast.  We even got a call that said our school building will be closed on Monday.  A bit premature, but necessary I guess.  Just puts me one more day behind in the set up.  Pray that Irene will spare us all.  Thank you!

Finally Setting Things Up

Well it's oficially time...I got in to the room and began  the set up process.  With half excitement and half sadness towards saying goodbye to summer, I made a plan for how to attack this process.  Every year (for 20 years now) I think "This year I will be SUPER organized" and every year I get defeated.  But this year I am even more inspired by the other first grade blogs I've been following and I have picked up some great organizing ideas.

Here are some snapshots of my beginning.  I'll add more as I go along.

This is the messy part,  pulling everything out from the closets and off the shelves.  Of course my daughter, Mya, finding the free play Friday toy closet wasn't helping me AT ALL.  At least she played for the 4 hours I was busy.

This war zone is going to be SUPER organized and eye appealing soon, I promise.  This is the very corner of the room, my desk.  I wouldn't have it if it didn't house files and supplies.  I NEVER sit there. 

This is the bulliten board I use to remind my kiddies about what good readers do. It's visible by the whole class and close to my guided reading table.

I used to use a Star Student pocket chart, but last year I decided to make this BB more colorful.  I laminated the background papers and each week the Star Student's information is written on index cards and taped onto the background so it looks like a frame.  If the student brings in photos I add them all around the edges or in the frames on the chalkledge.

Math On The Wall is helpful all year.  I add odd and even numbers later.  On the opposite side of the room I have numbers, number words and a number line. 

Below this is my calendar. 

I always start the year spending time on the calendar, but as the year moves along I make it the job of the "leader of the day".  That student adds all the info in the morning and reports the data at morning meeting time.  It is my little way of building oral speaking skills with no pressure. 

The white adding machine tape is where I write the "Spanish Word of the Week".  We focus on one word or phrase each week.  On Friday we add the word in spanish and english to our journals and illustrate.  At the end of the year we have a good start with our spanish vocabulary.  We don't get to see the spanish teacher (budget cuts) so it is up to us to incorporate spanish.  I love the language so it's fun for me too.

I need to make a new 2011 label.  My post-it note is so LAME!

Stay tuned this week for more progress.  Today is family day so we are headed to the beach.  It's just too nice out and hurricane Irene is on the way so we are sucking up the sun while we can.  I know I'll be mentally preparing my room all day though!

giveaway

Frolicking Through First Grade is giving away a Target card to celebrate 100 followers.  Go to her blog and check it out.
http://frolickingthroughfirst.blogspot.com/2011/08/100-followers.html

 I hope I win!!!!

More ideas from my blog stalking time.

Add caption

Love this idea I saw on http://pencilsglueandtyingshoes.blogspot.com/  I will be borrowing this idea as a new BB in my room if I can get in there.  The floor waxing project is standing in my way at this point.

Love this glyph idea as well from http://firstgradealacarte.blogspot.com/2011/08/first-grader-glyph.html  Take a look at her post.

I wish I could figure out how to post google documents to put the templates on here for everyone.  Soon I hope.

I love a good garage sale

I love garage sales when looking for classroom treasures so when I saw this post from Clutter Free Classroom I had to share (as if anyone is reading my blog yet).  She is selling her no longer needed "stuff" at great prices.  Check it out!
http://www.teacherbargains.ecrater.com/

And It Begins

This is my first attempt at posting on my blog.  I got this template from http://www.leeloublogs.blogspot.com/ and it was real easy.  I have been downloading great ideas and materials from some of the cutest blogs ever!  I will try to have a list going if I can figire out how to do so.  I am so appreciative of all the sharing that goes on between teachers near and far.  I am sure I will be offering some of my creations soon as I grow in this new adventure.